LM    Topics 

RFID/Wireless: Race to Utopia

Our technology correspondent examines where RFID and wireless communications currently stand as logistics and supply chain management enablers and then defines the remaining barriers to adoption. Just how far are we from real-time visibility?


It’s no secret that mobile and wireless devices are handling more and more data and communications for businesses across all sectors. 

Within the supply chain, everything from smart phones, to voice-enabled devices, to RFID is changing the way logistics and transportation operations are being managed.

And with quick messaging devices and mobile Internet usage skyrocketing, the supply chain is bound to benefit even more from this largely “untethered” business environment over the coming years.

Over the next few pages we’ll look at how far RFID and wireless communications have come in the supply chain, where these technologies currently stand as logistics enablers, and then examine what barriers to adoption still remain. We’ll also attempt to show shippers just how close we are to achieving real-time supply chain management and logistics visibility— and just how far we need to go to realize that utopian vision.

RFID: Spending to increase dramatically

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) stands as one of the original technologies designed around supply chain processes. Rewind back about eight years, says Simon Ellis, practice director for supply chain strategies at IDC Manufacturing Insights, and RFID was one of the most hyped technologies in logistics and supply chain management.


Article Topics

RFID
Wireless
   All topics

Latest in Logistics

LM Podcast Series: Assessing the freight transportation and logistics markets with Tom Nightingale, AFS Logistics
Investor expectations continue to influence supply chain decision-making
The Next Big Steps in Supply Chain Digitalization
Under-21 driver pilot program a bust with fleets as FMCSA seeks changes
Diesel back over $4 a gallon; Mideast tensions, other worries cited
Four U.S. railroads file challenges against FRA’s two-person crew mandate, says report
XPO opens up three new services acquired through auction of Yellow’s properties and assets
More Logistics

About the Author

Bridget McCrea's avatar
Bridget McCrea
Bridget McCrea is an Editor at Large for Modern Materials Handling and a Contributing Editor for Logistics Management based in Clearwater, Fla. She has covered the transportation and supply chain space since 1996 and has covered all aspects of the industry for Modern Materials Handling, Logistics Management and Supply Chain Management Review. She can be reached at [email protected] , or on Twitter @BridgetMcCrea
Follow Modern Materials Handling on FaceBook

Subscribe to Logistics Management Magazine

Subscribe today!
Not a subscriber? Sign up today!
Subscribe today. It's FREE.
Find out what the world's most innovative companies are doing to improve productivity in their plants and distribution centers.
Start your FREE subscription today.

April 2023 Logistics Management

April 9, 2024 · Our latest Peerless Research Group (PRG) survey reveals current salary trends, career satisfaction rates, and shifting job priorities for individuals working in logistics and supply chain management. Here are all of the findings—and a few surprises.

Latest Resources

Warehouse/DC Automation & Technology: Time to gain a competitive advantage
In our latest Special Digital Issue, Logistics Management has curated several feature stories that neatly encapsulate the rise of the automated systems and related technologies that are revolutionizing how warehouse and DC operations work.
The Ultimate WMS Checklist: Find the Perfect Fit
Reverse Logistics: Best Practices for Efficient Distribution Center Returns
More resources

Latest Resources

2024 Transportation Rate Outlook: More of the same?
2024 Transportation Rate Outlook: More of the same?
Get ahead of the game with our panel of analysts, discussing freight transportation rates and capacity fluctuations for the coming year. Join...
Bypassing the Bottleneck: Solutions for Avoiding Freight Congestion at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Bypassing the Bottleneck: Solutions for Avoiding Freight Congestion at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Find out how you can navigate this congestion more effectively with new strategies that can help your business avoid delays, optimize operations,...

Driving ROI with Better Routing, Scheduling and Fleet Management
Driving ROI with Better Routing, Scheduling and Fleet Management
Improve efficiency and drive ROI with better vehicle routing, scheduling and fleet management solutions. Download our report to find out how.
Your Road Guide to Worry-Free Shipping Between the U.S. and Canada
Your Road Guide to Worry-Free Shipping Between the U.S. and Canada
Get expert guidance and best practices to help you navigate the cross-border shipping process with ease. Download our free white paper today!
Warehouse/DC Automation & Technology: It’s “go time” for investment
Warehouse/DC Automation & Technology: It’s “go time” for investment
In our latest Special Digital Issue, Logistics Management has curated several feature stories that neatly encapsulate the rise of automated systems and...